Tackling an invisible killer with soap and water

Evidence suggests that during conflict, three to fifteen times as many people die of indirect causes as are killed in fighting - with infectious diseases being one of the biggest killers.

Multiple risk factors exacerbate the spread of diseases in conflict-affected countries, including shattered infrastructure and healthcare systems, and lack of access to safe water and sanitation. Women are often hardest hit during outbreaks, as they perform the majority of caregiving and have less access to health care and information to keep themselves safe.

The lethal convergence of conflict and disease can be seen in many of the countries where we work. Northern Nigeria is affected by yearly cholera outbreaks, which have surged during the past decade of Boko Haram insurgency. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, militia violence fuels the spread of multiple diseases, including the deadly Ebola virus. The overcrowded camps and low-quality accommodation which shelter displaced families in northern Iraq provide ideal conditions for outbreaks of respiratory infections and waterborne diseases.

Now, the most vulnerable communities in conflict-affected countries are facing an additional threat: COVID-19.

Handwashing with soap and water is the critical first line of defence against COVID-19 and other deadly diseases – it’s easy, effective and inexpensive.

Yet in the communities where we work, practicing safe hygiene can be extremely difficult due to lack of resources such as clean water and soap. With your support, we’ve installed handwashing stations at our training locations and provided women with essential hygiene supplies for their homes. Our trainers have also been sharing knowledge about safe hygiene and proper handwashing during classes.

With the right training and basic supplies, our participants are leading COVID-19 awareness efforts and introducing life-saving hygiene habits.

In Bauchi State, north-eastern Nigeria, we are currently implementing a three-year project funded by UK aid from the UK government. The majority of the women we serve in Bauchi State are subsistence farmers, who earn very little and have no financial safety net. Two months of COVID-19 lockdown made it even more difficult for them to provide for their basic household needs and maintain safe hygiene.

With the support of UK aid from the British people, our Nigeria team was able to rapidly respond to the situation in Bauchi with the provision of basic hygiene kits and food items for programme participants. Our trainers have also been prioritising COVID-19 awareness, prevention and referral information in training sessions since in-person training resumed – equipping women with tools to lead pandemic prevention and response efforts in their communities.

Two programme participants, Hassana and Saratu, told us about their experiences during the pandemic and how they have been taking action to protect themselves and their communities.